Question from a Reader:
I’m a fan of women’s pro wrestling. In the past, there was a time when Hokuto Akira broke her neck during a match and had to undergo treatment and rest for a year. During that time, she expressed her desire to continue her career, and the company said, “If we gather 20,000 signatures, we will allow her
to return.” To everyone’s surprise, over 80,000 signatures were collected. Hokuto made her comeback and won the legendary match against Kandori Shinobu, earning the title of Dangerous Queen. Hokuto was a junior to Crash and Gokai and this was during a period when women’s pro wrestling was losing popularity. So, my question is, why don’t comedians like Matsumoto Hitoshi and Nakai Masahiro have fans who take such actions? Aren’t they comedic icons? Aren’t they the leaders of the former SMAP? Is it really that sponsors are so intimidating? Even though it has been revealed that Fuji TV was involved in some questionable practices, what is the reason behind this?
The Differences in Fan Culture Between Women’s Pro Wrestling and Comedy
Recently, I heard some passionate questions from fans of women’s pro wrestling, which made me think a bit. The story of Hokuto Akira gathering so many signatures for her comeback is truly an inspiring episode. It really makes me feel the immense power of fans. On the other hand, why is it that fan actions are not seen to that extent with comedic icons like Matsumoto Hitoshi and Nakai Masahiro? Certainly, the world of comedy has its popularity and charisma, but in critical moments, it seems that fans don’t tend to mobilize as much.
The Lack of Information and Difficulty in Fan Actions
As mentioned in user comments, I believe the lack of information plays a significant role. In women’s pro wrestling, the stories and matches resonate with fans’ hearts, whereas comedy often revolves around the performance in the moment. Especially on television, there are often cut segments and behind-the-scenes stories that fans are unaware of, making it hard for them to know how to support their favorites. I remember when I went to a live show with friends, I missed Matsumoto’s new material, and I felt it was such a waste. Since comedy relies heavily on the moment’s laughter, it might be harder to feel motivated to do something afterward.
Respecting the Lifestyles of Matsumoto and Nakai
Recently, I’ve come to appreciate how Matsumoto and Nakai cherish their own lifestyles, and I think, “That’s the best approach.” I believe that creating an environment where they can operate freely is the most important thing for their fans as well. What I always think about is how fan support acts as a driving force for their activities. Therefore, rather than forcing any kind of action, it might be more important to simply watch over them. In closing, how do you support your favorite artists or comedians? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! I’m looking forward to hearing each other’s stories.
